A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a man who was driven up to Dundee to go shoplifting.
George Paun, 29, of Edgware Street, Coleridge, Stoke-on-Trent, was nabbed by store detectives after stealing perfume worth £750 from Debenhams in the Overgate Centre on April 3.
He admitted the offence during an appearance at the sheriff court last month at which sentence was deferred by Sheriff Lorna Drummond for reports and he was granted bail.
However, the sheriff issued a warrant for his arrest after he failed to return to court.
At the earlier hearing, fiscal depute Joanne Smith told the court the accused was seen on CCTV removing the bottles of fragrance from shelves and putting them in his bag.
He was detained at the store and admitted the theft when police arrested him.
Solicitor Michael Short told the court Paun had only been in the UK for a week and had been remanded in custody for three weeks since being arrested.
“He fell in with a certain crowd and he was brought up to Dundee and told to steal the items,” Mr Short said.
“He was told if he didn’t do it he would be abandoned in Dundee and not be able to get back down to Stoke.”
Mr Short added: “He wants to go home to Romania due to his experiences.”
Sheriff Drummond noted that Paun had already been in jail for four years in Romania for theft.
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